Top professor casts an eye on local service

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust showed how it can be a national leader recently when staff welcomed Professor Nick Bosanquet to visit their Ophthalmology/ integrated eye service recently.

Professor Bosanquet is Emeritus Professor of Health Policy at Imperial College London and he decided to visit the Trust after representatives from the service were invited to a round table event in the House of Commons.

Professor Bosanquet said:

When I learned about the Integrated Eye Service, I was intrigued to find out more. The main aspect of Optometrists being trained and accredited to offer services such as follow-up treatment for cataract operations in the community is extremely innovative and effective.

I am extremely impressed with how different organisations have come together to form a seamless and effective service for the patients of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. It was good to talk to staff in the new teams and hear about how the service has already improved waiting times by follow up appointments for patients in local optometrists

The Integrated Eye Service was the product of the Trust consultants, managers and nurse’s extensive work with East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen CCGs, Local GPs and Optometrists. The aim of the service is to bring eye care closer to patient’s homes where possible. This innovative change has resulted in our patients receiving a better experience whilst maintaining Safe, Personal and Effective care.

We are honoured that such a prestigious figure within the Imperial College was interested in our work. The Professor has certainly gained a valuable insight into our service which has been running for over 18 months and is working extremely well. The extended service has enabled us to offer a number of patients more choice of where they receive their treatment.

Professor Bosanquet is a health economist who first carried out research on NHS funding in the 1980’s for the York Reports sponsored by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Institute for Health Services Management.